Chambers Top Departments

Rankings Roundup

Vault #45
AmLaw #18

What do these ratings mean?

from Brian Dalton, Breaking Media Director of Research

The ATL School and Firm Insiders Survey asks self-identified current students,
alumni, and practicing lawyers to rate major aspects of life at their law school (academics, social
life, clinical training, career services, financial aid advising) and/or law firm (compensation,
hours, morale, culture, training). We then translate these ratings into letter grades, where the
mean score for each particular ratings category is the equivalent of a “B.”

We require a minimum threshold of responses for each institution before we publish any survey-based
ratings content. Using a standard formula for statistical validity, we adhere to a threshold that
gives us an 85% confidence level and a 10% margin of error. The precise threshold number will of
course vary depending on the size of the individual institution. For example, for a law firm of
1,000 attorneys, we would require 50 responses in order to publish ratings for the firm.

Top Practice by Headcount and Top Schools data is provided by
Leopard Solutions. Leopard Solutions
is a leading provider of attorney data to legal recruiters, law firms and law schools. We track
attorneys in over 1500 law firms around the country and document their practice area, specialties,
honors, languages advanced degrees and more. We provide an overview of each law firm as well as
detailed information on individual attorneys. The data can be used to track trends, movements,
growth and more.

Leverage is the number of attorneys minus equity partners, divided by equity partners.

Salaries & Compensation

Advances, Bonuses, Benefits & Stipends for First-Years

Insider Reviews

K&L Gates starts first year associates at 160K in the major markets, but nickel and dimes you at every opportunity after that regardless of how many hours you bill.

Jr. Associate

Partner Interview

from the firm

Ed. note: This is the first installment of The ATL Interrogatories, brought to you by David Carrie LLC. This recurring feature will give a notable law firm partner an opportunity to share insights and experiences about the legal profession and careers in law, as well as about their firms and themselves.

1. What is the greatest challenge to the legal industry over the next five years?

Although I’m tempted to do a passable imitation of a legal consultant and talk about globalization, innovation and the New Normal, all of which are important, in fact the fundamental challenge facing our industry over the next five years and beyond is to preserve the Rule of Law in a world in which an increasing number of globally significant economies have no comparable tradition and in which some governments don’t respect rights of individuals and enterprises. The world, our industry and our profession would be much different if norms we associate with the Rule of Law were defined downward as a by-product of globalization. I know it’s a stretch for an audience focused during difficult times on real and immediate career challenges to shift gears and focus on a seemingly abstract concept such as the Rule of Law. The times tend to divert all of our gazes inward. But there is no one reading this who is more self-absorbed than the least self-absorbed law firm managing partner.

We all need to do a better job when it comes to talking about and vindicating the Rule of Law in our day to day lives. I know that I do. With all of the misguided talk about vocationalism in legal education, moreover, I also worry that our law schools are not pounding away sufficiently at the foundational importance of the Rule of Law or the role of U.S. lawyers, among others, as its missionaries.

2. What has been the biggest positive change to the legal profession since the start of your career?

Over the last 30 years, we’ve seen the advent of a true market for legal services in which ideas and services are sharpened through competition, law firms wax and wane based on performance, and consumers of legal services are empowered to make retention choices based on value propositions. For lawyers and law firms willing to embrace competition, and of course for clients, the development of a true market for legal services has been transformative and positively so.

3. What has been the biggest negative change to the legal profession since the start of your career?

In the last three decades, the practicing side of the profession has become more open, more scrutinized, more transparent, more competitive, more diverse, more global, more remunerative, more complex, more client-focused, more meritocratic and more interesting. What’s not to like about those trend lines? On the other hand, legal education is lost in a wilderness of self-doubt, operates with a business model that often confers upon its graduates more burdens than benefits, and as a result seems headed for a gigantic market correction. Lives and aspirations will be altered and likely not for the better.

4. What is the greatest satisfaction of practicing law?

Winning. Did I just quote Charlie Sheen?

5. What is the greatest frustration of practicing law?

Clients don’t retain you to lose, and there’s nothing more frustrating than delivering a bad result to a client who deserved much better.

6. What is your firm’s greatest strength?

We’re positioned at the critical crossroads of the 21st Century — at the intersection of globalization, regulation and innovation. With 46 fully integrated offices on five continents, we can address clients’ needs arising from the movement of people, products, services, capital and ideas across national borders. With leading policy and regulatory practices and offices in a dozen world capitals, we can address the ratchet-like interventions of governments into private markets. With leading IP litigation and prosecution practices, we can serve clients in the creation and protection of intellectual property. And, importantly, we’re fully integrated with a single profit pool, unitary governance, a single brand, no interior profit borders or firewalls, and we have all of the other operational and financial features that are emblematic of a truly integrated law firm capable of serving clients seamlessly across disciplines and around the globe.

7. What is the single most important personal characteristic for a successful lawyer in your field?

I’ve never met a single successful lawyer in any field who isn’t very smart. High intelligence is a prerequisite to success in practicing law because advising clients on how to deal with crushing legal complexity is very hard intellectual work. Of course, degrees of success can thereafter fluctuate based on levels of emotional intelligence, verbal capability, work ethic, a winning personality and so on. But you have to be very smart.

8. What is your favorite legally themed film or television show?

My Cousin Vinny. Sorry. I’m sure you wanted something more profound or trendy. But I watch “movies,” not “films,” and I go to the movies to be entertained, not to deceive myself into thinking that I’m spending a couple of hours immersed in an advanced art form on a par with literature, architecture, painting, sculpture or music. (I’m really happy that you disabled the comment function.)

9. What is your favorite legally themed book (fiction or non-fiction)?

My Mom and Dad ran a little Greek diner. I could see myself as a restaurateur. Or as a researcher for Above the Law.

David Carrie LLC is the legal search firm of choice for high profile law firms and organizations worldwide. David Carrie recruiters have a unique understanding of the motivating forces behind good placements — both from the perspective of the employer and the candidate. Our team includes attorneys who have practiced in the areas in which they perform searches. Many of our team members are former corporate executives who have been responsible for hiring lawyers for their companies. No one knows more about this process than we do. We have experienced it at every level.

Recent Headlines from Above the Law

* Next time on Nancy Grace: A recent graduate of Michigan State Law allegedly got a master’s degree student from the school pregnant twice before he left the country. The woman allegedly murdered one of the babies, and the other is now missing. [Detroit Free Press]

* I’ll just leave this right here so I won’t get fined. It looks like a partner from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton helped Marshawn Lynch trademark his nickname “Beast Mode” — a trademark that may lead to Lynch getting a $100,000 fine from the NFL. [Am Law Daily]

* In other trademark news, Taylor Swift got approval for catchphrases from her album. “Nice to Meet You, Where You Been?” Her IP lawyers “Could Show You Incredible Things,” but you could’ve been getting down to “This Sick Beat.” [WSJ Law Blog]

* According to Am Law’s latest Lateral Partners Survey, there was a 7 percent increase in lateral moves — 2,736, to be precise — between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014. Guaranteed pay packages, though, seem to be a thing of the past. [American Lawyer]

* The K&L Gates Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project, a clinic that’s perhaps better known as the firm’s revenge porn project, is assisting a California law student whose nude pictures and videos were allegedly put online by an ex. [DealBook / New York Times]

* Thanks to a partner from K&L Gates, victims of revenge porn will be able to rely upon the assistance of the Cyber Civil Rights Legal Project to guide them through the courts pro bono. [National Law Journal]

* The latest Princeton Review rankings are out, and now you can find out if you attend a law school that has some of the best professors in the country. Spoiler alert: Yale Law isn’t No. 1. [Huffington Post]

* Calling all lawyers and law students! If you bought a Red Bull in the past 12 years to get through an all-nighter, then you’ll be able to make some quick cash from this class action settlement. [BuzzFeed]

* It seems that Madame Justice Lori Douglas, the Canadian judge whose nude pictures were leaked online, is no longer facing sexual harassment charges. That must be nice for her, all things considered. [CBC News]

* Per federal prosecutors, if you’re not too high to suck at playing games on Xbox, then you’re not too high to forget about friends of the accused Boston bomber removing evidence from your room. [Bloomberg]

* Adrian Peterson’s felony child abuse trial is supposed to begin in December, but it could be delayed because the judge may have to recuse. That’s what happens when you call lawyers “media whores.” [CNN]

* Maybe you weren’t excited about Hofstra Law School, but did you hear they now have bean bag chairs in the library? Well, that changes everything! [Virtual Library Cat’s Eye View]

* An interview with Peter Kalis on the future of Biglaw, in which he states, “I cross bridges and burn them behind me.” Flame on! [Forbes]

* This essay sums up so much about the state of America through the lens of the killing of Michael Brown. [The Concourse]

* While we focused on the tale of Judge Mark Fuller, who spent some time in jail on a domestic violence accusation, he may be part of a trend — Judge Lance Mason was charged with felonious assault after allegedly punching and biting his wife while they were driving. Biting? [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

* Have you ever wondered how every law school can give its students “excellent” educations? [The Legal Watchdog]

* Failed Mississippi candidate Chris McDaniel is challenging a bunch of votes. Including his own lawyer’s. [Wonkette]

* Tim Corcoran, President of the Legal Marketing Association, chides state bar associations for meddling with the evolution of the legal profession. Video after the jump…. [Mimesis Law]

* After three years on top, Baker & McKenzie has lost its place as the top grossing firm in the Global 100. But which firm dethroned the once king? None other than… [Am Law Daily]

* Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, and yet some of the things he sought to change still remain the same in 2013. [Washington Post]

* The house always wins: Navin Kumar Aggarwal, the ex-K&L Gates partner who stole client funds to pay gambling debts, was jailed after receiving a 12-year sentence. [Am Law Daily]

* “This is like a triple-overtime win.” Merrill Lynch is making a huge $160 million payout in a racial bias case that’s been stuck in the courts for nearly a decade. [DealBook / New York Times]

* As eager young law students return to school, maybe it’s time for you to consider brushing up on the basics. Now is an excellent time to take care of those pesky CLE requirements. [Corporate Counsel]

* Husch Blackwell is teaming up with WUSTL Law to launch a training program for… partners. Take this for what is is, law students: a great opportunity to résumé bomb the hell out of them. [National Law Journal]

* Career alternatives for attorneys: judicial drug mule. Following an investigation by the DEA, a former Utah judge pleaded guilty to the possession of enough Oxycodone to kill a small horse. [Salt Lake Tribune]

* Don’t even think about texting anyone, ever again, in the state of New Jersey, especially if they might be driving, because the appeals court says you could be held liable for negligence. [WSJ Law Blog (sub. req.)]

* Joe Francis of Girls Gone Wild has been sentenced to 270 days in jail and three years’ probation after being convicted of assault and false imprisonment by a jury of “stupid, stupid idiots.” [Los Angeles Times]